Here's a tip from a recent experience.

My "Check Engine" light came on last weekend and would not go off, even after I tightened the gas tank cap. The Service Manager checked it with the "scanner" and the code came up "gas cap," which we all know is not uncommon.

He had to "reset" the light with the scanner because sometimes it will not go out by itself, even after the cap is tightened. His advice to me was always tighten the gas cap all the way, until it clicks about a dozen times. You cannot overtighten the gas cap, no matter how many times you turn it. I had been only allowing one or two clicks for fear of overtightening it. He indicated that if it's not real tight, air gets in there, the light goes on, and sometimes you have to get to the dealer to get the light reset, like I did.

It only took 10 minutes at the dealership, and it's always good news to get something fixed quickly and free, but it's still an hour out of your day.

Since Lexus did not charge me for this advice, I pass it on here without any markup.

 

I had that happen once myself

 

nice advice. yes, i always click it so many times just to make sure.

 

I had been allowing only a couple of clicks & never had that problem.

Thanks for the tip though

 

OMG! I've been a "one-clicker" all this time!

Thanks for the tip, and not charging us your usual markup.

That's still a lot of clicks!

 

I've been a victim of this scare.

You can reset this yourself right? Disconnect the battery and reconnect it?

 

no, i believe for some codes you have to get the dealer to reset it

 

I don't know if disconnecting the battery will cause the check engine light to reset or not, but a few things occur to me:

1. You will not know know for sure what triggered the light in the first place, so it's wise to get the dealer to plug in the scanner to find that out; the reset then takes 10 additonal seconds. If it was not just the gas cap, something in the emission system may need attention.

2. You will spend lots of time resetting all the other things in the car that disconnecting the battery resets, such as the clock, the 18 radio stations, the 4 seat memory positions, etc. And you still won't know why the light went on.

3. There is no charge, and as long as you don't drop by at 8 AM when there is a lot of check-ins at the service area, the whole thing takes about 5 to 10 minutes.

4. No grease on your hands and you won't have to hunt for your wrench.

5. There are usually free donuts in the waiting room.